How to Draw a Ball in Golf – Exaggeration Is the Key
The tendency of most amateur golfers is to slice the ball rather than hit a draw. The two major causes of a slice in golf are: you have an outside to inside swing path during impact, or your club face is open the moment you hit the ball. Some golfers actually even commit both mistakes.
It can be difficult to notice these mistakes. However, you can easily tell if you have a problematic swing just by examining your ball flight. If you notice that your ball usually starts to the left of your target then slices before it reaches the target line, then you are most probably swinging in an outside-in direction. Now if your ball starts out on target but slices anywhere midway, then your club face might be open during impact.
It is quite likely you are hitting a slice because you have an outside-in swing path. This means your shoulders are aligned way too far to the left of the target. This problem is quite easy to fix. All you have to do is open your shoulders every time you address the ball. If possible, let someone stand behind you during address and make him check where your shoulders are pointing. With your shoulders aligned correctly, your club has no other choice than to follow the direction of your shoulders.
On the other hand, if you tend to hit the ball with an open club face, then check the position of your club’s head when addressing the ball. Take the extra effort to square up your club face each time you address the ball. Doing this alone can be a quick fix to your slicing problem.
If you are still consistently slicing even if you have diligently checked if your shoulders and club face are square at address, then you might be unintentionally opening your club face during your downswing. For an easy fix, try to concentrate on rotating the club to the right during impact. You should feel the club head turn over through the ball so as to make it start hooking left. Practice this drill during your driving range sessions before you hit the course.
If you still keep slicing even after you have regularly practiced these drills then you might have an over the top swing path which is more difficult to fix. If you have been playing golf for years, then you might have developed this nasty swing flaw that you have to seriously consider correcting.
The best way to correct this kind of swing habit of slicing is to exaggerate a hook. Start conditioning yourself to swing inside-out. Go to the range and flatten your swing until you consistently hit vicious hooks. You really have to exaggerate this movement. Flatten your swing to a point that you feel like you are swinging your club below the right shoulder, around your back. Since you have been so used to an over the top backswing, you just probably feel like you are swinging flat even if you aren’t. So you have to exaggerate an inside-out swing.
During practice rounds, keep your right elbow tucked firmly to your side throughout the swing. This way the ball is forced to make a nice slinging hook. This kind of constricted swing may not be able to get the ball that far, but once you get the feel of the right way to hook the ball, it would be easy for you to adjust later. A controlled hook shot is great for both power and distance. So keep on practicing this hook shot until you consistently make the ball draw and eliminate that nasty slice.
Remember the key to finally stop slicing and fix any swing flaw that you have been suffering from for quite some time is to do the exact opposite of what you have been used to in an exaggerated manner. This is the only way to make your body literally feel the change you are trying to make. You do not want to just try to make your ball go straight. Your goal now is to consistently make it hook excessively until you start mastering the golf draw.